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September 28, 2004
Grad School vs. A Short Film
Tough decision. I just had lunch with Richard, and he thinks that grad school is ultimately not worth it for me. There are two types of people in the world - those that need school, and those that don't. Some people can't get along without out, while others thrive without ever setting foot in the classroom. Where do I stand on this spectrum?
I've never needed school to do any of the things I've done. In all reality, it's only been to serve as a crutch when it comes to film stuff - I've made it to some arbitrary stopping point after which I can't do anything unless it has the authorization of a prestigious film school backing it. What am I actually going to learn at film school? Some technique, some practical skills, make some connections, and come out with a thesis. Not that any of this should be downplayed, but it's not necessary.
The thing is that if I don't go to school, this is it right now - the beginning of my life. I am in an open sea filled with millions of fish all competing to be the big shark that eats the rest. And only few will actually succeed at it.
When am I happy? When I'm making movies. When am I unhappy? When I was required to make a film within the system of school. School to me seems like it will be a bunch of easy answers - how to write Oscar-award winning scripts, how to make a perfect film, etc. - when in reality, it will just some time away from this.
I'm going to seriously think about this, but if I were to go to grad school next year, it would be mainly because a lack of prospects has led me there. At the end of the day, a great short film won't go ignored, and I can always hit up grad school in a few years. We'll see what happens, but some more experience under my belt would probably help me to determine just how necessary grad school is.
Posted by nick at September 28, 2004 03:26 PM
Comments
I'd like to give you some advice. But I learned a long time ago that one should never take advice from another who isn't doing much better.
Then again, I'm an arrogant bastard, so here it is: whatever you do, don't stand still. If you have a choice to make--make it. Now.
Whichever it is, direct all your energies into it, become a moving force. School? Fine. Learn it all, even the mundane. Be the best. Make that school a better place for having you. Short film? Fine. Meet as many people as you can, involve yourself in other films, inject your name into peoples' minds.
Don't be juggling the same decision next year.
/rant
Posted by: PKB at October 1, 2004 10:56 AM
Paul - Totally agree, and that is the threat that comes with the decision to put off making a decision for a year. I will definitely force myself to do SOMETHING, and probably several somethings, during that time. Soon to be aired on the illustrious Salem Access Television network, of course!
Posted by: Nick at October 4, 2004 02:00 PM